Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember those who have served our country with deep respect and gratitude. As we reflect on their sacrifices, many families also gather to mark the beginning of summer with a shared meal. This year, consider serving your guests a simple yet flavorful BBQ chicken that combines ease with taste, offering a budget-friendly way to celebrate the season with deliciousness.
Planning ahead is key to making the holiday both affordable and effortless. By creating a flavorful dry rub and sauce from scratch, plus pre-cooking the chicken, you’ll save time and stress. Simply reheat the chicken on the grill, and watch your guests bask in the glow of finger-licking, saucecovered bliss.
For maximum flavor, dry brine your chicken pieces with the dry rub overnight. Then pre-bake the chicken in the oven to ensure it’s fully cooked. You can safely refrigerate the baked chicken for up to two days in an airtight container, keeping it fresh. When it’s time to grill, simply brush each piece with a generous coating of sauce and finish it off on the grill.
For budget-friendly entertaining, chicken leg quarters are the most affordable option. They cost less than thighs and drumsticks due to minimal processing. For even greater savings, buy them frozen in 10-pound bags, which typically contain 12-15 pieces. Just plan ahead for defrosting (about two days). You can cook them whole or cut them into pieces, depending on your preference.
EASY BBQ CHICKEN FOR A CROWD Total Time: 90 minutes + dry brine 1 hour to overnight Dry Rub Yield: 1 1/3 cups 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup paprika 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 teaspoon table salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
BBQ Sauce Yield: 2 1/4 cups 1 cup ketchup 1/2 cup prepared yellow mustard 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Chicken Yield: 10-15 servings 10 pounds bone-in dark meat chicken (drumsticks, thighs, or leg quarters)
Dry rub the chicken: In a small bowl, combine ingredients for the dry rub. Rub the mixture generously onto each piece of chicken. Allow the dry rub to set on the chicken for a minimum of 1 hour or ideally overnight before cooking.
Pre-bake the chicken: Preheat the oven to 325 F. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on a large, rimmed baking sheet or sheets. Place the baking sheet(s) in the oven and bake for 1 hour, or until the chicken is fully cooked. To check for doneness, use a meat thermometer — it should reach 165 F.
After baking, remove the chicken from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes. At this point you can refrigerate the chicken for up to 2 days.
Make the BBQ sauce: While the chicken rests, in a medium bowl, combine all the BBQ sauce ingredients. Stir until the brown sugar dissolves. Brush each piece of chicken liberally with BBQ sauce.
Prepare the grill: About 20 minutes before you’re ready to serve, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
Place the chicken on the grill, skin side down if applicable. Grill for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is heated through.
Serve immediately with additional BBQ sauce and enjoy!
This Memorial Day, honor the holiday with a delicious, affordable BBQ chicken recipe that’s sure to please. Enjoy the time with loved ones, savoring both the flavors and the memories we cherish.
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Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime — Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at [email protected]
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